Center using music to help injured troops

June 23, 2010|By Christine Schirato

Music can relax and relieve stress, and, some studies suggest it helps heal the brain after injury. "Music is a major factor in rehabilitation of the brain," said Melissa Orsargos, a rehabilitation technician at the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, located in the Hiram G. Andrews Center in Westmont.

"Music itself is a stimulant for them. It will hit target areas of the brain that are stimulated by music or by art." Orsargos looked for ways to bring local musicians to the clients the DVBIC serves.

"I am a huge fan of the local music scene. It is a great resource that not a lot of people know about," she said. Orsargos came up with a way for the clients enjoy music by bringing it to them. "We are limited to in the places we can take them," she said.

In September, the first Acoustic Night was held at the center, with one held every Wednesday through January. "We had a period during the winter when we didn't have any," because of the weather, Orsargos said. "We just started them back up."

Local musicians who have played are Denise Baldwin, Sam Coco, Jackie Kopco, Joe Konior, Josh Spinelli and Jeff Perigo, who have all made repeat performances. Earlier this month, the Whiskey River Panhandlers made their first appearance at the center and hope to keep giving back.

"It is really because they deserve people to give back to them. They have given so much. That is a small thing for us to do give back to the people who have defended our country," said Chris Verbano, band member.

"It was very light-hearted. It was like we were hanging out with a couple of people playing music. They enjoyed what we were doing and we enjoyed doing it for them."

Verbano said he hopes other local musicians will volunteer their time to the veterans at the center. "Musicians of all genres: Call (the center) and offer your services and put a smile on someone's face," Verbano said.

Troy VanScoyoc, the center's chief operating officer and acting director, said the music fulfills the center's objectives. "We are enriching their environment and giving them recreational activities," VanScoyoc said.

"Music is therapeutic in nature. These guys suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. We aren't doing any research on it, but we feel pretty good that this is helping in a bunch of different areas," he said.

The next scheduled Acoustic Night will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. June 16, said Shannon Smith, recreation therapist. She said she hopes to see more involvement in the program.

"I hope it gets more community involvement of our program, about how amazing it is and to give our guys a fun night listening to good music," Smith said.

"Thank you to all the ones we have had so far. They have been amazing."

For more information or to perform on an acoustic night, call Smith at 255-8601.